Going to be staying on Geary Street in Union Square in San Francisco in February. Was wondering if anyone could recommend any area breweries? I'm looking for local microbrew type operations. Any ideas? Let me know !

Well...its been a while but Anchor Brewing Co is probably the most well known (and the creator of an entire style of beer no less). Otherwise, I have not gone but I've heard good things about the Magnolia pub.

If you want a fairly complete listing of what's out there I'd look at the Brewer's Association (the craft brewing trade industry) website (http://www.beertown.org/craftbrewing...breweries.aspx). I've also found that Pub Crawler (www.pubcrawler.com) has a lot of good reviews that have always helped me tune my search for a good brewpub.

The San Francisco Brewing Company sounds like its what you are looking for. The unique thing about this place is that they make microbrewed lagers as well as Ales. The Tornado in lower Haight is a classic bar. Also, Magnolia Brewpub in upper Haight is a fun place.

Anchor Brewing Co. gives tours at its facility in Potrero Hill. Tours = free samples, as you very well know by now.

Magnolia is a nice stop if you are visiting the Haight - easy to find at the corner of Haight and Masonic.

ThirstyBear at 661 Howard (South of Market neighborhood) has good beer, always crowded after work or at lunchtime, and serves a tapas-type menu.

Addenda:

If you will have a car available to you during your stay, check out Dempsey's Alehouse in Petaluma. Nice location on the river front, good dinner menu. I like their homemade root beer, too.

We're self proclaimed beer hunters and have made 2 beer trips to San Francisco in the past year.

For microbreweries, the only one I would recommend is Magnolia's. They have excellent beer and above average pub food.

I do not like San Francisco Brewing Co at all.

ThirstyBear is better than San Francisco Brewing Co but not nearly as good as Magnolia's. The food at ThirstyBear is above average and Spanish tapas style (rather than pub grub).

My all time favorite beer spot, though, is Toronado...hands down. Could be my favorite beer bar in the USA so far. It's a little loud, the beertenders a little rough around the edges (but I love them), and the clientele ranges from punk rock to attorney. But the beer selection is phenomenal - they take their beer very seriously.

Rogue Ale House is also worth a visit.

Another "if you have a car" suggestion...head to Berkley for Jupiter. Great beers and wood fired pizza.

Bison Brewing is also in Berkley but as of yet still do not offer tours (nor do they have a brewpub). If you see their beers anywhere, pick 'em up.

And if you're really up for a drive, head to Anderson Valley (for Anderson Valley Brewing Company).

Whoops...one other suggestion. You might wantto check out Beach Chalet Brewery and Restuarant. Great food, good beers, and gorgeous view (especially at sunset).

If you have a car you should check out Marin Brewing Co. in Larkspur. And if you can access Bart, you should definitely check out Pacific Coast Brewing Co.

http://www.pacificcoastbrewing.com/

You don't need a car to access the Marin Brewing Co. just hop on a ferry to Larkspur. Well worth the trip.

Although not a brewery I can heartily recommend the Rouge Ale bar in North Beach. Fantastic beers!

Half Moon Bay Brewery- Googled and found so many!

oooh! Thank everybody! i will definitely be checking some of these out! I think i have a place to go every night of the trip!

We did the Anchor Steam Brewery tour last summer and it was one of the best brewery tours we've ever done. You must book in advance (online) and the group is small. It is quite interesting and informative. Meanwhile back at the bar afterwards -- it's not merely samples -- it was full glass after full glass of something like 6 or 7 different beers.

I tried to find the thread DebitNM started... only this pulled up

Anyway, the Anchor Steam website says they have one tour a week on a weekday by reservation only

I just made a reservation for the Anchor Steam tour a couple of days ago. If you call, they tell you they have 2 tours a day. Weekdays only, though.

~Liz

Back from out trip.

We really enjoyed this tour-highly recommend!

~Liz

Bookmarking

Faina - it took some looking but here it is:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35065612

Deb